I went back looking at pro lines particularly the brand that started my journey, Ben Nye. I did stray from this line because new cosmetic lines were coming out and old cosmetic lines were coming out with new stuff.
Ben Nye had the pro stuff but not enough new stuff for me way back then. Also, the textures of the powder products, although saturated with color were (whispers) chalky and dry. Fast forward and Ben Nye is revamped to suit HD and the powder eyeshadows are reformulated into a highly saturated and smooth finish which made me wonder why I should buy regular "cosmetic" line shadows?
I purchased some Ben Nye products or what I call necessities more than accessories to make my mornings easier. This post I will show you my necessary eyeshadows.
Yes, these are boring and bland colors, nothing exciting but very necessary for every look. These are the eyeshadow colors that create depth to the eyes in varying degrees from natural to dramatic: Taupe, Smokey Taupe, and Mink Stole. Then add a pearly color that will make any colored eyes pop: Pearl Sheen Bronze.
Saturation or pigmentation is what I like about Ben Nye eyeshadows and don't forget the price. The eyeshadows cost about $9USD or more depending on the store. Pearl Sheen shadows cost about $7USD. The size of the matte shadows are 35mm and have a depth deeper than the regular eyeshadow pan. Pearl Sheen shadows are smaller at 25mm but they pack a punch of color. You can also buy these in pan form only which makes them a bit cheaper. The reformulated eyeshadows thanks to the addition of nylon-12 makes them silkier and mature-skin friendly.
I mentioned the colors I bought were to create depth in varying degrees.
Taupe creates the most natural and I would say "nude" depth to the eyes. This is an all around must-have color because it will create a natural illusion to porcelain to medium skin tones anywhere on the face. The color is a bit on the warm side with just a touch of ashiness to it.
Smokey Taupe (is what I use) has more "smoke" or ashiness to it and leans towards the cool side but still has that taupe character to it. I use this one because it gives more depth and clarity to my eyes (skin tone--NC20-25, MUFE HD 120) without it becoming one with my skin tone.
Mink Stole is a dark taupe with just enough ash to it to give dark skin tones depth or lighter skin tones a more dramatic crease without reverting to a black eyeshadow which can be too harsh for some looks. Used wet, this also works out to be a great eyeliner just to define the lash line without the solid black line.
Bronze Pearl Sheen - This one is a true bronze which makes many eye colors pop because of its strong pigment and glow. For cool skin tones who are hesitant in using warm colors, use just a touch to counterbalance the overload of cool shades on the eyes or use as any eyeliner.
All these eyeshadows can be used wet or dry. You don't need an eyeshadow base for these because they are pigmented enough to be applied straight onto bare skin or on top of properly prepped skin.
Are there faults to Ben Nye? Well, some of the packaging isn't the best but that can be easily resolved by buying containers. The color selection in eyeshadows in terms of cosmetic market aren't available, for example duochrome types. But that isn't what Ben Nye is about.
Ben Nye products are pure quality and pro grade at a very affordable price. The line has strict quality control which means each batch of color will be like the one before. You know how you buy an eyeshadow once and go back to buy another and the color isn't the same, this doesn't happen with Ben Nye. Another great reason about this line, it is manufactured in the U.S.A, right at their own factory. With these reasons, I promise not to stray from this line again!
*All bought by me. Links are provided for your convenience, I get nothing out of them.*
Matte eyeshadow ingredients: talc, zinc stearate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, octyldodecanol, isopropyl pa.itate, dimethicone, lauroyl lysine, niylon-12, silica, cyclomethicone, tocopheryl (vit. e) acetate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben ethylparaben, polysorbate 20. May contain mica, bismuth oxychloride, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, carmine, ultramarines, manganese violet, chromium hydroxide green, yellow 5, chromium oxide green, red 30, red 7, red 6, yellow 6. Parfum free.
Pearl shadow ingredients: talc, ci # 77019 (mica), octyl palmitate, zinc stearate, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, phenoxyethanol. May contain titanium dioxide, iron oxides, ferric ferrocyanide, caramine, manganese violet, bismuth oxychloride. Parfum free.
